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Breast cancer survivors may experience a fear of cancer reoccurrence, body image issues due to a mastectomy, memory loss after chemotherapy or low energy levels which make it difficult to transition back into everyday life. A meditation and stress-management program at the Montefiore-Einstein Cancer Center offers tools to reduce these stressors and some of those tools involve the use of a floor mat, soothing music and a quiet group setting.
During a 20-week course for women who have completed treatment for breast cancer, skilled meditation instructors ask participants to close their eyes, focus on their breathing and imagine a place where everyday stressors cease to exist. "People dealing with intense and chronic illness often experience significant anxiety which can affect recovery," said Alyson Moadel, PhD, director of the Psychosocial Oncology Program. "Meditation can help our participants reduce stress and ultimately improve their overall quality of life."
The meditation program, funded by the Avon Foundation, is part of a larger research study and is one of the many services offered to breast cancer patients to help them cope with the psychological and emotional effects of cancer and its treatment. Women can take advantage of programs including yoga, individual counseling, support groups, a quit smoking program, dance fitness, creative arts and other mind-body workshops. "There are few places in the Bronx for a woman to take a meditation or yoga class for free," said Dr. Moadel.
Participants have indicated through surveys and follow-up telephone interviews that the program is positive, empowering and emotionally-freeing. "There were many things that were toxic in my environment and meditation helped me to come down from that scattered mind," said one survivor. "It helped me change my attitude about life and calm down. Now I focus on handling situations better. Overall, I'm more serene."
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